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[[United States Genealogy|United | [[United States Genealogy|United States]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] [[United States Migration Internal|Migration]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png|go to]] [[US Migration Trails and Roads|Trails and Roads]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[Massachusetts Genealogy Guide|Massachusetts]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] [[New York Genealogy|New York]] [[Image:Gotoarrow.png]] '''Catskill Road''' | ||
Did an ancestor travel the '''Catskill Road''' of Massachusetts and New York? Learn about this settler migration route, its transportation history, and find related genealogy sources.<br><br>[[Image:{{CatskillRdmap}}]]__TOC__ | Did an ancestor travel the '''Catskill Road''' of Massachusetts and New York? Learn about this settler migration route, its transportation history, and find related genealogy sources.<br><br>[[Image:{{CatskillRdmap}}]]__TOC__ | ||
=== History === | === History === | ||
The '''Catskill Road''', also known as the '''''[[Catskill | The '''Catskill Road''', also known as the '''''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''''', also known as the '''''Ancram Turnpike''''', was one of the most important early routes for migration out of New England into central New York. It was used by European settlers as early as 1744. It was about a 100 mile (161 kilometer) pathway from '''[[Springfield, Massachusetts]]''' to '''[[Catskill, New York]]''', via [[Ancram, New York]]. The route went westward from Springfield, Massachusetts toward the southwest corner of that state. It entered New York State near the town of Ancram and went thence northwest to the town of Catskill on the west bank of the Hudson River. From Catskill the highway was usually called the '''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''' and hugged the north edge of the Catskill Mountains running toward [[Unadilla, New York|Unadilla]] (formerly Wattle's Ferry) on the Susquehanna River, and beyond to [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]] and [[Bath, New York]].<ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America'', 9th ed. (Logan, Utah: Everton Pub., 1999), pages 532 and M-48. {{WorldCat|48077118|disp=At various libraries (WorldCat)}}; {{FHL|740321|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 1999}}. This was one of the most important migration routes for early New England settlers who pioneered into central New York.</ref> | ||
The first major village began attracting European settlers into the Catskill area in 1745.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catskill_Mountains History of the Catskill | The first major village began attracting European settlers into the Catskill area in 1745.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_the_Catskill_Mountains History of the Catskill Mountains] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> | ||
'''Stages.''' Stagecoaches generally began regular transport of mail and passengers on long trips in the American colonies in the 1760s.<ref>Frederic J. Wood, "The Twelfth Massachusetts Turnpike" in ''The Turnpikes of New England and the Evolution of the Same Through England, Virginia, and Maryland'' (Boston: Marshall Jones, 1919), 26-27. [https://archive.org/stream/turnpikesofnewen00woodrich#page/79/mode/1up Internet Archive version | '''Stages.''' Stagecoaches generally began regular transport of mail and passengers on long trips in the American colonies in the 1760s.<ref>Frederic J. Wood, "The Twelfth Massachusetts Turnpike" in ''The Turnpikes of New England and the Evolution of the Same Through England, Virginia, and Maryland'' (Boston: Marshall Jones, 1919), 26-27. [https://archive.org/stream/turnpikesofnewen00woodrich#page/79/mode/1up Internet Archive version online].</ref> They made regular trips between '''''stages ''''' or stations where travelers were provided food and rest.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stagecoach Stagecoach] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 30 October 2014).</ref> Where available, stagecoaches became a preferred way for settlers to travel to a new home. The establishment of the stagecoach inn in Ancram, New York, in 1798 shows stagecoaches traveled the '''Catskill Road''' even before it was made a turnpike. The inn was popular with drovers taking their cattle to the Hudson River for market.<ref>Catherine Tyler Brody, ''[http://gallatin-ny.org/content/History/Home/:field=documents;/content/Documents/File/1.pdf A Brief History of Gallatin]'', 4. (pdf accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> | ||
'''Toll roads.''' As traffic increased along a roadway American political leaders turned to toll roads (turnpikes) to raise money to improve, clear, and repair their local highways.<ref>Wood, 33-36.</ref> Toll revenue from stagecoaches, drovers, and other travelers was used to maintain the roadbeds and bridges, and, if there was enough left over (rarely happened), to pay a turnpike stockholder dividend. If turnpike revenue decreased too much, the roadway maintenance was typically turned over to the state, and the path was made a free public road. | '''Toll roads.''' As traffic increased along a roadway American political leaders turned to toll roads (turnpikes) to raise money to improve, clear, and repair their local highways.<ref>Wood, 33-36.</ref> Toll revenue from stagecoaches, drovers, and other travelers was used to maintain the roadbeds and bridges, and, if there was enough left over (rarely happened), to pay a turnpike stockholder dividend. If turnpike revenue decreased too much, the roadway maintenance was typically turned over to the state, and the path was made a free public road. | ||
The '''[[Catskill | The '''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''' was a gateway route into central New York when it opened from Catskill to Unadilla in 1804. Moreover, New York, Connecticut, and Massachusetts all approved an important network of '''''feeder ''''' turnpike routes leading toward the Catskill Turnpike—which eventually became associated with the Catskill name. | ||
'''Railroad competition.''' The heyday of wagon roads into central New York was the early 1800s before the coming of the railroads in the 1840s and 1850s.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_and_Boston_Railroad Hudson and Boston Railroad]] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> Railroads were faster, less expensive, and safer to use than overland wagon roads. As railroads entered an area, the long distance overland wagon roads (especially the toll roads) normally became less used. Railroads like the following began moving settlers and replaced much of the wagon road traffic in the area: | '''Railroad competition.''' The heyday of wagon roads into central New York was the early 1800s before the coming of the railroads in the 1840s and 1850s.<ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hudson_and_Boston_Railroad Hudson and Boston Railroad]] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 23 October 2014).</ref> Railroads were faster, less expensive, and safer to use than overland wagon roads. As railroads entered an area, the long distance overland wagon roads (especially the toll roads) normally became less used. Railroads like the following began moving settlers and replaced much of the wagon road traffic in the area: | ||
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| <center>'''Catskill Road possible northern route'''</center> | | <center>'''Catskill Road possible northern route'''</center> | ||
[[Hampden County, | [[Hampden County, Massachusetts]]<br> '''● [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]]'''<br> ● [[West Springfield, Massachusetts|West Springfield]]<br> ● [[Westfield, Massachusetts|Westfield]]<br> ● [[Russell, Massachusetts|Russell]]<br> ● [[Blandford, Massachusetts|Blandford]]<br>[[Berkshire County, Massachusetts]]<br> ● [[Otis, Massachusetts|Otis]]<br> ● [[Tyringham, Massachusetts|Tyringham]]<br> ● [[Monterey, Massachusetts|Monterey]]<br> ● [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington]]<br> ● [[Egremont, Massachusetts|Egremont]]<br>[[Columbia County, New York]]<br> ● [[Hillsdale, New York|Hillsdale]] (aka Nobletown) taking NY-23 W to<br> Catskill cuts 9 miles off the S route via Ancram<br> ● [[Copake, New York|Copake]]<br> ● '''[[Ancram, New York|Ancram]]'''<br> ● [[Gallatin, New York|Gallatin]]<br> ● [[Taghkanic, New York|Taghkanic]]<br> ● [[Livingston, New York|Livingston]]<br> ● [[Greenport, New York|Greenport]]<br>[[Greene County, New York]]<br> ● '''[[Catskill, New York|Catskill]]''' - 100 mi (161 km) to Springfield | ||
| <center>'''Catskill Road possible southern route'''</center> | | <center>'''Catskill Road possible southern route'''</center> | ||
[[Hampden County, | [[Hampden County, Massachusetts]]<br> ● '''[[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]]'''<br> ● [[Agawam, Massachusetts|Agawam]]<br> ● [[Southwick, Massachusetts|Southwick]]<br> ● [[Granville, Massachusetts|Granville]]<br> ● [[Tolland, Massachusetts|Tolland]]<br>[[Berkshire County, Massachusetts]]<br> ● [[Sandisfield, Massachusetts|Sandisfield]]<br> ● [[New Marlborough, Massachusetts|New Marlborough]]<br>[[Litchfield County, Connecticut]]<br> ● [[North Canaan, Connecticut|North Canaan]]<br> ● [[Salisbury, Connecticut|Salisbury]]<br>[[Dutchess County, New York]]<br> ● [[North East, New York|North East]]<br>[[Columbia County, New York]]<br> ● '''[[Ancram, New York|Ancram]]'''<br> ● [[Gallatin, New York|Gallatin]]<br> ● [[Taghkanic, New York|Taghkanic]]<br> ● [[Livingston, New York|Livingston]]<br> ● [[Greenport, New York|Greenport]]<br>[[Greene County, New York]]<br> ● '''[[Catskill, New York|Catskill]]''' - 93 mi (149 km) to Springfield | ||
|} | |} | ||
[[Image:NY MA CT.png|right|400px|NY MA CT. | [[Image:NY MA CT.png|right|400px|NY MA CT.png]]Eastern New York and western Massachusetts/Connecticut had a network of interconnected roads that helped the people of New England and New York City to reach central New York.<br><br> | ||
'''New York main routes west''' moving New Englanders into central New York (listed north to south) | '''New York main routes west''' moving New Englanders into central New York (listed north to south) | ||
*'''''[[Erie Canal]] ''''' from Albany, NY to Buffalo, NY; opened 1825.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Erie Canal" in ''Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal (accessed 24 June 2009).</ref> | *'''''[[Erie Canal]] ''''' from Albany, NY to Buffalo, NY; opened 1825.<ref>Wikipedia contributors, "Erie Canal" in ''Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Erie_Canal (accessed 24 June 2009).</ref> | ||
*'''''[[Mohawk or Iroquois Trail]] ''''' from Albany, NY to Fort Oswego, NY; opened 1722.<ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.'' (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 851. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50140092 WorldCat | *'''''[[Mohawk or Iroquois Trail]] ''''' from Albany, NY to Fort Oswego, NY; opened 1722.<ref name="HBG">''Handybook for Genealogists: United States of America, 10th ed.'' (Draper, Utah: Everton Pub., 2002), 851. [http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/50140092 WorldCat entry]. {{FHL|1049485|item|disp=FHL Book 973 D27e 2002}}.</ref> <ref name="Oswego">Wikipedia contributors, "Fort Oswego" in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fort_Oswego (accessed 2 July 2011).</ref> <ref>[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tqpeiffer/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/Northeast%20U.S.%20Migration%20Routes.htm#_NAME_%28M%29 Mohawk Trail] in ''Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trail, Roads, and Migration Routes'' in RootsWeb (accessed 6 October 2014).</ref> | ||
*'''''[[Catskill | *'''''[[Catskill Turnpike]] ''''' (aka '''Susquehannah Turnpike ''') from Catskill, NY to Unadilla, NY; route travelled by Europeans by 1792; toll booths opened by 1804.<ref name="LOTNY">[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_turnpikes_in_New_York List of turnpikes in New York] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 1 November 2014).</ref> <ref>Almira E Morgan, ''The Catskill Turnpike: A Wilderness Path'' (Ithaca, N.Y.: DeWitt Historical Society of Thompkins County, 1971). [http://tcpl.org/local-history/documents/nys-cny/Catskill_Turnpike.pdf Online digital copy].</ref> <ref>Anastassia Zinke, [http://www.catskillmtn.org/guide-magazine/articles/2001-11-the-susquehanna-turnpike-and-america-s-frontier-history.html The Susquehanna Turnpike and America's Frontier History] in ''Catskill Mountain Foundation'' (accessed 1 November 2014).</ref> <ref>Joan Odess, [http://www.dcha-ny.org/turnpike.pdf The Susquehanna Turnpike] (pdf accessed 1 November 2014).</ref> | ||
:*'''New York feeders''' from Massachusetts / Connecticut connected to NY main routes west | :*'''New York feeders''' from Massachusetts / Connecticut connected to NY main routes west | ||
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::*'''''Hillsdale and Chatham Turnpike ''''' from the ''Alford and Egremont Turnpike '' at Alford, MA to Albany, NY; opened 1805.<ref name="LOTNY" /> <ref>Wood, 168.</ref> | ::*'''''Hillsdale and Chatham Turnpike ''''' from the ''Alford and Egremont Turnpike '' at Alford, MA to Albany, NY; opened 1805.<ref name="LOTNY" /> <ref>Wood, 168.</ref> | ||
::*'''''Columbia Turnpike ''''' from the ''Massachusetts 12th Turnpike '' '''and''' ''Great Barrington and Alford Turnpike '' at Hillsdale, NY (Egremont, MA) to Hudson, NY (Catskill, NY); opened 1799; now NY-23.<ref name="LOTNY" /> | ::*'''''Columbia Turnpike ''''' from the ''Massachusetts 12th Turnpike '' '''and''' ''Great Barrington and Alford Turnpike '' at Hillsdale, NY (Egremont, MA) to Hudson, NY (Catskill, NY); opened 1799; now NY-23.<ref name="LOTNY" /> | ||
::*'''''Ancram Turnpike ''''' from the ''Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike '' at Millerton, NY to Catskill, NY; opened 1805; now NY-82.<ref name="Huntt">Isaac Huntting, ''History of the Little Nine Partners of North East Precinct and Pine Plains, New York, Dutchess County'' (Amenia, NY: Chas. Walsh, 1897), 99-101. [{{Huntt}} Google Book | ::*'''''Ancram Turnpike ''''' from the ''Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike '' at Millerton, NY to Catskill, NY; opened 1805; now NY-82.<ref name="Huntt">Isaac Huntting, ''History of the Little Nine Partners of North East Precinct and Pine Plains, New York, Dutchess County'' (Amenia, NY: Chas. Walsh, 1897), 99-101. [{{Huntt}} Google Book edition].</ref> | ||
::*'''''[[Ulster and Delaware | ::*'''''[[Ulster and Delaware Turnpike]] ''''' from the ''Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike '' at Millerton, NY (Salisbury, CT) to Rhinebeck, NY (Kingston, NY), continuing west to the [[Catskill Turnpike]] at Bainbridge, NY; opened 1802; now NY-199.<ref name="LOTNY" /> <ref name="Huntt" /><br> | ||
:*'''Massachusetts feeders''' connected to New York feeders | :*'''Massachusetts feeders''' connected to New York feeders | ||
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:*'''Connecticut feeders''' connected to New York feeders | :*'''Connecticut feeders''' connected to New York feeders | ||
::*'''''Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike ''''' from Huntsville, CT to the ''Ancram Turnpike '' and the ''Ulster and Dalaware Turnpike '' at Salisburty, CT (Millerton, NY); traveled by Europeans by 1744, toll booths open from 1801 to 1829; now CT-126 and US-44.<ref>Wood, 363-64.</ref> <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Route_126 Connectiuct Route 126] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 3 November 2014).</ref> <ref>"Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike" in [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tqpeiffer/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/Northeast%20U.S.%20Migration%20Routes.htm Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trails, Roads, and Migration | ::*'''''Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike ''''' from Huntsville, CT to the ''Ancram Turnpike '' and the ''Ulster and Dalaware Turnpike '' at Salisburty, CT (Millerton, NY); traveled by Europeans by 1744, toll booths open from 1801 to 1829; now CT-126 and US-44.<ref>Wood, 363-64.</ref> <ref>[http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Connecticut_Route_126 Connectiuct Route 126] in ''Wikipedia: the Free Encyclopedia'' (accessed 3 November 2014).</ref> <ref>"Salisbury and Canaan Turnpike" in [http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~tqpeiffer/Documents/Ancestral%20Migration%20Archives/Migration%20Webpage%20Folder/Northeast%20U.S.%20Migration%20Routes.htm Routes in the Northeastern United States: Historic Trails, Roads, and Migration Routes] in ''RootsWeb'' (accessed 3 November 2014).</ref><br> | ||
'''Connecting Routes'''. The Catskill Road connected with several other migration routes: | '''Connecting Routes'''. The Catskill Road connected with several other migration routes: | ||
| Line 70: | Line 70: | ||
*'''''Springfield connections:''''' | *'''''Springfield connections:''''' | ||
:*[[Old Connecticut Path]] a pre-historic Indian path from [[Boston, | :*[[Old Connecticut Path]] a pre-historic Indian path from [[Boston, Massachusetts]] to the Connecticut River Valley at [[Springfield, Massachusetts]] and south to [[Hartford, Connecticut]]. | ||
:*The upper [[King's | :*The upper [[King's Highway]], also known as the '''''upper Boston Post Road''''', went from [[Boston, Massachusetts|Boston]] to [[Springfield, Massachusetts|Springfield]] in Massachusetts, to [[Hartford, Connecticut|Hartford]] and [[New Haven, Connecticut|New Haven]] in Connecticut, and then on to [[New York City New York genealogy|New York City]]. From Boston to Hartford it followed the same route as the [[Old Connecticut Path]]. From New York City the [[King's Highway]] continued south to [[Charleston County, South Carolina|Charleston, South Carolina]]. | ||
*'''''mid-road Massachusetts/Connecticut connections:''''' | *'''''mid-road Massachusetts/Connecticut connections:''''' | ||
:*[[Greenwood Road]] from [[Hartford, | :*[[Greenwood Road]] from [[Hartford, Connecticut]] to [[North Canaan, Connecticut]] to [[Pittsfield, Massachusetts]], to [[Albany, New York]]. The Greenwood Road crossed the Catskill Road (north) at [[Great Barrington, Massachusetts|Great Barrington, Massachusetts]]. The Greenwood Road crossed the Catskill Road (south) at [[North Canaan, Connecticut|North Canaan, Connecticut]]. | ||
*'''''mid-road New York connection:''''' | *'''''mid-road New York connection:''''' | ||
:*The [[Albany Post Road]] connects [[New York City New York genealogy|New York | :*The [[Albany Post Road]] connects [[New York City New York genealogy|New York City]] to [[Albany, New York]]. The Albany Post Road crossed the Catskill Road at [[Livingston, New York]]. | ||
*'''''Catskill connection:''''' | *'''''Catskill connection:''''' | ||
:*At the town of [[Catskill, New York]] the '''[[Catskill_Road|Catskill Road]]''' (also known as the '''''Ancram Turnpike''''') changed its name to the '''[[Catskill | :*At the town of [[Catskill, New York]] the '''[[Catskill_Road|Catskill Road]]''' (also known as the '''''Ancram Turnpike''''') changed its name to the '''[[Catskill Turnpike]]''' on its way from Catskill to [[Unadilla, New York]] (formerly Wattle's Ferry) on the Susquehanna River, and then to [[Ithaca, New York|Ithaca]] and [[Bath, New York]]. | ||
'''Modern parallels.''' The modern roads that roughly match the Catskill Road (southern route) from Springfield to Catskill are: | '''Modern parallels.''' The modern roads that roughly match the Catskill Road (southern route) from Springfield to Catskill are: | ||
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{{Connecticut|Connecticut}}{{Massachusetts|Massachusetts}}{{New York|New York}} | {{Connecticut|Connecticut}}{{Massachusetts|Massachusetts}}{{New York|New York}} | ||
[[Category: | [[Category:US_Migration_Trails_and_Roads]] [[Category:Connecticut]] [[Category:Massachusetts]] [[Category:New_York]] [[Category:Migration_Routes]] [[Category:Hampden_County,_Massachusetts]] [[Category:Berkshire_County,_Massachusetts]] [[Category:Litchfield_County,_Connecticut]] [[Category:Dutchess_County,_New_York]] [[Category:Columbia_County,_New_York]] [[Category:Greene_County,_New_York]] [[Category:Schoharie_County,_New_York]] [[Category:Delaware_County,_New_York]] [[Category:Chenango_County,_New_York]] [[Category:Otsego_County,_New_York]] | ||